Chapter 33: Investigate!
"Cousin, is it true that Divine General Fang wants to see us? You're just a minor official in the Grand Brilliance Bureau. You might be in a higher position than I am, as I am a newly appointed constable, but that’s Divine General Fang we’re talking about! Why would he want to see you? Don't try and brag in front of me just to look good. If you get kicked out of General Fang’s Manor, we'll be in big trouble!" A tanned woman with a slender figure, dressed in a dark constable's uniform, whispered to Yuan Zhuang as she looked all around her.
"Bragging? What are you talking about? You might not know this, but I personally brought Divine General Fang to the Grand Brilliance Bureau just a few days ago." Yuan Zhuang’s mouth twitched a little as he said that, but he wasn’t willing to embarrass himself in front of her. "Also, you’ve got one thing wrong. Divine General Fang only wanted to meet with me. If you didn’t happen to be on duty with me, you wouldn’t get a chance to come here. I’m telling you, you better not speak carelessly. Try to get familiar with the people in General Fang’s Manor. It will be convenient for you when you work around this area.”
Yuan Yu seemed a little doubtful, but someone from the Fang Manor emerged and cupped his fist at Yuan Zhuang. “Lord Yuan, the young master requests your presence,” he said.
Yuan Yu stared at Yuan Zhuang, a trace of disbelief in her eyes. Turns out Divine General Fang really did invite her cousin over! When did her cousin manage to reach such heights?
"Brother, what about my subordinate...?" asked Yuan Zhuang, glancing at Yuan Yu.
"Just have her wait in the guest hall," the servant said politely. "The young master wishes to see you alone."
Yuan Zhuang nodded.
Someone then came and escorted Yuan Yu to the guest room. But before she left, he couldn’t help but give her an earful of reminders.
He followed the servant to meet up with Fang Chen. And along the way, he constantly wondered why Fang Chen would wish to meet him.
Soon, Yuan Zhuang saw Fang Chen. He was practicing a set of fist arts in the courtyard.
No one would ever guess that the seemingly ordinary martial artist in the courtyard was once the Divine General of the Grand Xia Empire.
“Lord Yuan, you’re finally here. Please, take a seat.” Fang Chen ended his practice and gestured at the stone stool before him.
Is he really blind?! Yuan Zhuang thought to himself in shock. Could Fang Chen have recognized him from his footsteps alone? That would honestly be a little terrifying.
Just as he was about to sit down on the stool, in front of Fang Chen, he suddenly jolted to his feet—perhaps feeling he was acting too casual—and cupped his fist in greeting as he plastered a smile on his face. “Divine General, is there a reason you summoned me here today?”
“I’m just a commoner now. You don’t have to be so uptight.” said Fang Chen, smiling. But he didn’t harp on the topic and quickly got the point. “Someone handed me a few cases, and I think there’s something strange about them. You’re from the Grand Brilliance Bureau and should be a little more familiar with them. Why don’t you take a look?”
After he spoke, he handed a stack of documents over to Yuan Zhuang.
Hastily receiving them, Yuan Zhuang took a look. The first document was about a case related to the disappearance of a maidservant from the manor of the minister of rites two years ago.
Shock flashed through Yuan Zhuang’s eyes. “Divine General Fang, this...”
“Take a good look at them and tell me what you think. Have a closer look,” Fang Chen said.
“Yes, yes.” Yuan Zhuang nodded before he started flipping through his pages seriously.
After an hour or so, a solemn expression formed on his face as he muttered, “Divine General Fang, there’s something really suspicious about these cases; however...” He chuckled bitterly. “It seems like all these cases are closed.”
“Let’s talk about the case from the minister of rite’s manor. A young lady went missing, and her older brother went to make a report. Soon after, the older brother disappeared, leaving behind an ailing mother.” Fang Chen chuckled. “Do you think that’s logical?”
“Definitely not.” Yuan Zhuang shook his head. “However, Official Li personally gave the verdict and concluded the case. It was said that the maidservant eloped with her lover and stole many treasures from the minister's manor before leaving.”
“Do you believe that’s true?” Fang Chen asked.
“I don’t. But... what can I do about it?” Yuan Zhuang released a dry chuckle.
“You can investigate further,” Fang Chen said calmly. “Since you disagree with the conclusion of the case, you can look into it properly. You will definitely be able to learn the truth one day, don’t you think?”
Yuan Zhuang was slightly taken aback and he gasped. “Divine General Fang, do you actually know what’s going on?”
Fang Chen laughed in response. “The extent of my knowledge extends to only what you can find. Why else did I call you over? Anyway, let’s head over to the mother’s residence to take a look.”
Nodding instinctively, Yuan Zhuang agreed with his suggestion. However, a look of shock appeared on his face the next moment. Divine General Fang was going to investigate the case with him! That... that, that, that—What a dream!
“Divine General Fang, I have a subordinate waiting for me in the guest hall. Should I send her away before we head over?” he hurriedly asked.
"Bring her along. Our actions are legitimate. There’s nothing to hide." Fang Chen smiled.
Yuan Zhuang thought to himself, That girl is really lucky. She’s going to work with Divine General Fang on her first day...
Back at the guest hall, Yuan Yu was feeling a little bored as she waited.
She suddenly heard some voices coming from outside. She turned over instinctively and saw Fang Zhixue practicing her sword in the courtyard.
Her opponents were several dozen young men, none of them appearing especially weak. Despite that, not a single one of them could withstand a single strike from Fang Zhixue.
"You guys are too weak! I told you to practice more often, but you seem to be ignoring my words. All of you are still in the Qi Condensation Stage at your age...” she scolded with displeasure.
"Sister Zhixue, how are we supposed to compare ourselves to you?! You’ve been practicing the Profound Heaven Technique since you were a child, but we've only been practicing for a few years..." one of the young men complained.
Fang Zhixue!? Isn't that Divine General Fang’s younger sister? She’s said to be a genius martial artist. She actually entered the Qi Detonation Stage at such a young age! Yuan Yu was amazed. She could tell that Fang Zhixue was younger than herself, but was of a far higher level. Even at her current level, she was merely at the mid Condensation Qi Stage.
Fang Zhixue suddenly turned away from the young men, as if sensing something. When she saw Yuan Yu, her brows scrunched up, and she asked, full of curiosity, "Hey, you are...?"
"Y-Young Lady Fang... I am Yuan Yu, a constable from the Grand Brilliance Bureau. My superior is Yuan Zhuang, who is meeting with Divine General Fang at the moment." Yuan Yu quickly introduced herself.
"Grand Brilliance Bureau? Why have you come to our Fang Manor?! Are you here to arrest my brother again? You’re going too far!” Fang Zhixue snapped.
Yuan Yu knew she had misunderstood, but before she could explain, a voice rang through the air.
"Zhixue, I invited them over.” Fang Chen said, as he and Yuan Zhuang entered the courtyard through the hall.
Fang Zhixue's curiosity grew after hearing what he said. “Big Brother, why did you call these people over?”
Big Brother?!
Could he be...
Yuan Yu looked at Fang Chen, her heart skipping a beat. Divine General Fang is as young and handsome as the rumors say...
"I have something I need their assistance with." Fang Chen smiled. He turned to Yuan Zhuang. “Bring her along. Let’s go.”
Yuan Zhuang quickly gestured to Yuan Yu. "Cousin... Yuan Yu, let's go. We have business to attend to!"
Yuan Yu followed behind them with a bewildered expression.
Realizing that Fang Chen had ignored her, Fang Zhixue quickly raced over to them and yelled, “Big Brother, where are you going?! I want to come along!”
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